Montgomery, AL – Paving the way to improvement four years of rebuilding Alabama by: Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
March 12th was the 4th anniversary of Rebuild Alabama which is perhaps the largest legislation to be approved throughout the history of Alabama. Since its inception, Rebuild Alabama has accounted for record-breaking investments across our state. The investments include 234 projects across every county and 400 miles of roads that have been resurfaced as well as greater than 170 million of state transportation funds that are awarded to counties and cities. This is what I refer to as real results that are tangible.
Four years after the enactment of Rebuild Alabama and we’ve started. There are more projects in the pipeline or in the process of being developed and further announcements of transformative change are expected in the coming months and years.
Our world-class surface transportation system will feature four-lane interstate connections in each county. The Highway 411 is located within Cherokee County, Highway 52 in Geneva County and Highways 43 and 129 in Fayette and Marion Counties are great examples.
The issue of congestion in traffic is tackled to improve working Alabamians their daily commutes. From Interstate system enhancements on I-10 and I-10 in Mobile County, I-59 in Jefferson County, the Eastern Connector in Etowah County and I-565 in Limestone and Madison Counties to urban corridors such as McFarland Boulevard within Tuscaloosa and Tuscaloosa, the capacity of traffic is increasing wherever we travel.
As stated, local projects of importance are being prioritized by people who know their county and city the most. Local officials are completing important projects that could not be accomplished without the funds generated by Rebuild Alabama. This means that their residents will be able to take safer, more efficient routes to school and work. Getting to the store for groceries or visits to family members are faster and more smooth and vital healthcare is easier to access.
Four years after the enactment of Rebuild Alabama it is evident that the overall impact of Rebuild Alabama is far more than just bridges and roads. Safety of the driver, efficiency in commercial operations and economic productivity are just a few aspects of the improved standard of living being provided through Rebuild Alabama. Rebuild Alabama also informs the worldthat “Alabama is ready for business!”
As Alabama is investing record amounts in infrastructure, companies are investing record amounts in Alabama. In excess of $42 billion in new investment and more than 78,000 additional jobs have been created in Alabama since I became governor. A well-functioning transportation system for surface transport is essential to help support this expansion. A lot of these businesses depend upon the Port of Mobile, one of the top ten ports in America.
Investments made by Rebuild Alabama into the Port has had an impact on every aspect of the state’s economy and is expected to continue doing so in the many years to be. The Port is, in many ways is the main gateway for Alabama’s access to the world economy, and I believe that other Alabama communities will be able to benefit from the benefits. For instance The West Alabama Corridor will provide the direct Port accessibility to a large portion of the state ideal to industrial growth.
As I gaze at the rearview mirror and think about the fourth anniversary of the Rebuild Alabama It is amazing to think about how we dealt with the Alabama issue using the help of an Alabama solution. The achievements we’ve made is worthy of praise. It’s certainly worthy of celebration. However, the road ahead is long and there is a lot to be done. This is not the moment to stop the car or take a middle of the road approach. Alabama has a road map to prosperity , and the tools to reach it So let’s go in a speed, accelerate towards the future, and keep working to build Alabama.
